Life-boat convertible into deck-seats.



D. DAVIES. LIFE BOAT CONVERTIBLE INTO DECK SEATSlv APPLICATION FILED OCT. l5, I9I3.

1,1 84,672. Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

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1HE Nwe/els PETERs CO., PHo'o-LITHO., WASHINYON. l). l:A

s ieATa f LIFE-.BOAT CONVERTIBLE INTO DECK-SEATS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DAVID DAvms, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at 975 Drummond street,

North Carlton, in the State of Victoria,V

structed to be used separately as deck seats,

with means for keeping them upright, or for allowing them to be conveniently moved about the ships deck, or to be readily fastened together to form the lifeboat.

By the employment of my invention, shipping companies may carry a full comple` ment of passengers without having to specially stow away, in case of emergency, complete lifeboats, rafts or pontoons, which serve but the one purpose. But in order that my invention may be better understood, I will now refer to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which like letters of reference refer to like parts wherever they occur in the several views.

Figure 1 is a view of one of the two longitudinal half sections of lifeboat, showing the positions of two separately arranged airtight side tanks, also water and provision tanks, as well as casters for keeping said sections upright when used as deck seats. Fig. 2 is a plan of the complete lifeboat. Fig. 3 is a part section as also an elevation of one end of the lifeboat, showing it with an upward curvature or sheer, and provided with casters as referred to in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the keel plates, showing the parts employed for effecting a watertight joint when the two longitudinal half'sections of the lifeboat are fastened together at such plates. Fig. 5 is an elevation of one of the clip hooks used in connection with each coupling bolt.

In carrying my said invention into practical eifect I provide a lifeboat comprised of two longitudinal half sections, each constructed alike. Within said longitudinal sections, but at the end portions thereof, are water and provision tanks (1) and (2), while between the latter are partitioned off portions containing the two airtight tanks (3) and (4:) of sufficient capacity to provide the required buoyancy, as also to support the Specification of Letters Patent.

weight of lifeboat, if upset. Said longitudi# nal half sections are each essentially comprlsed of metal ribs (5) Vhaving mild steel plates riveted thereto to form the shell of the lifeboat. Two keel plates (6) and (7 l Patented Apr. c, 19155.

Application filed October 15, 1913. Serial No. 795,304.

are provided for the full length ofeach section, while vertical stem plates (8) and (9) are securely positioned at the ends of life boat. rI`wo bottom angleV irons (10) and (11) are Xed to the ribs (5) for the purpose of supporting said keel plates asfshown,

as also for covering the bottom edge of the lifeboat shell or plating. To said keel plates (6) and (7 and also to the vertical stem plate (9), I secure two rows of angle iron (12) and (13) with an intervening spaceV between them, so as to provide a recess or groove to receive a tightly fitting strip of india-.rubber (14) in order to make a watertight joint between the keel plates (6) and (7) and the vertical stem plates (8) and i (9), whensaid longitudinal half sectionsy are fastened together. Said keel plates, as also the vertical stem plates are provided with recesses or gullets (15) adapted to receive the coupling bolts (16) whichserve as a means for readily fastening said longitudinal half sections together to form the lifeboat. These recesses or gullets also allow the coupling bolts tobe easily swung out of position whenever such sections are to be separated for use as deck seats.

The keel plates may be inset between the provision and water tanks, or flanges having recesses or gullets (15) maybe provided to permit of the same arrangement of coupling bolts (16). These coupling bolts (16) as shown, are pivoted one'to each of the fork shaped lugs (17) securely fixed to the keel plates (7) and vertical stem plate (8), and are also provided each with a looped nut (18) engaging the screw threaded portion thereof, which has a hole to re*- ceive the split pins (19) to serve as a means for preventing said looped nuts from coming off. As a convenient means for firmly holding these coupling bolts (16) in the recesses or gullets (15) while the looped nuts are being either screwed up or released, I employ the clip hooks (20), one for each bolt, pivotally mounted on the keel plateY (6) and vertical stem plate (9). In order to permit of the easy moving about of said longitudinal half sections, as also for keeping them upright when used 'as deck seats, or to allow of their being brought together to be fastened in position without lifting, and to form a lifeboat, I propose using casters provided with anti-friction balls (21) carried by sockets (22) having ianges `rigidly secured to the bottom of boat in order that it may be moved clear of the deck.

For the launching of the lifeboat l may employ the ships davit gear to connect with two shackles (23) passed through oppositely situated holes provided in the Vertical stein plates (8) and (9); while-the usual convenient forrn of row-locks (24) carried by flanged sockets (25) attached to gunwale, serve to permit of oars being used.

lt may be here explained that the rudder, as shown, is carried by the two pintles (26) which fit into sockets (27) securely projected from the stem plate My lifeboat may also be fitted with removable seats which can be conveniently stowed away until required for use.

What l claim is 1. ln a life boat, in combination, two lon-4 ing provided with keel plates and stein plates, said plates being provided with recesses, coupling bolts within said recesses to hold the sections together and water tight packing between the said plates of said half sections.

2. In a life boat, in combination, two longitudinal half sections adapted to be used separately as deck seats or to be fastened together to form a life boat, said sections being` provided with keel plates and stein plates, said plates being provided with recesses, coupling bolts pivotally mounted upon one of said sections and adapted to extend within the recesses in said plates to hold the sections together, spaced angle irons secured to the keel plate and stem plates of one of said sections, and packing between said angle irons adapted to engage the keel plate and stem plates of the other of said sections.

ALBERT E. G. Swanson, VIOLET G. GEARING.

(fopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

